Slowest Runner Ever??????

MissAmyB80

So...been training for a 5K for about 10 weeks now....tonight we actually ran the whole 5K route for the first time. I ran for 15 min for 2 different increments. Which was the longest stretch I have ever run and I was totally pumped.

Then the time keeps ticking and ticking......and my goal of doing it in 40 min.....nope. OK...45 min?....NOPE.

IT TOOK ME 55 MINUTES.

I am extremely disappointed. That's not even a fast walking pace.

Can I even say I am running?? Or should I reclassify as shuffling.....trotting.....trudging......

Blah!!! Over 500 ppl did this race last year and the slowest time was 56 minutes. That's going to be me. All this talk about doing this 5K and I get to tell people I came in last when it's over.

skatw

I promise you it will get better. I think the first time I did one, it was around 56 minutes. Now I can do it between 33 and 36. It has taken me quite a while to get there. Just don't give up! YOU CAN DO IT!

luckyduck768

That's ok! You can tell them you FINISHED a 5k!!! That is awesome, and as long as you do your best, that's all that should matter!

summertime_girl

I'm incredibly slow at running. But it's ok, I can finish the race! I'm far more concerned about distance and stamina, and I figure speed will get there eventually. Don't worry about your time, just keep moving!

kslindner

Hey! Don't beat yourself up over ur time... You're DOING IT, right?! Be proud of that!! Not a lot of people can say they've run a 5K in their lifetime. I've done 2 so far, and my first time running, I didn't do so great... The second time, I improved.

I think ANYONE willing to get out there and run deserves kudos!! So, KUDOS TO YOU!!!

kac7700

DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED! Pat yourself on the back, you did it!!! You should be proud. There is no such thing as being too slow, you're still lapping my husband who hasn't moved from the couch all night :-)

Take that as your starting point, and work to improve it. It takes time, perseverance and patience and it's so worth it! I'm proud of you.

SportySpiceVT

You will always be moving faster than the person sitting on the couch. Be proud of yourself for your accomplishments. Focus on how you feel instead of your time. It is amazing that you can do that. I probably couldn't make it down the block. Even if you are the slowest in the race, you are still an inspiration to many of us!

emmaleigh47

Oh sweetie ... first of all coming in last is ok your still better than all of the people who are on the couch.
Second of all, have you tried inserting just a few more walk breaks. Like maybe run 5 walk 1 ... it sounds odd but it will speed you up.
Look into www.jeffgalloway.com -- its a real running method.

Third ...speed will come with time and repetition - you will be faster on race day because of the adrenaline, but you should just be happy to complete it!

MarieNevada

check out a book called The Courage To Start, by John Bingum. He's a runner. his nickname is The Penguin. I daresay he's slower than you. It doesn't matter how fast you go, you're running. both feet are off the ground at the same time. that's all you need to be a runner. it doesn't matter how slow or how fast you go, you feel the joy of the run. You can improve on your time, i'm sure there are podcasts with songs with beats that you can run to that will increase your speed, if you want to run faster. but the important thing is you ran! the whole way. i can only run for 3 mins at a time right now. YOu have done what I dream of doing! and i applaud you for that.

sc1572

It gets better! Running is HARD. I am training for a half marathon and everyday is different!

Flyntiggr

Hang in there! I started as a wogger too, and am now pacing much better and training for a half marathon! Just keep moving, try to add some faster bits to each run, and you WILL get faster. Just dont give up!!!

jessicamckay13

um...you just did a 5k! that's awesome! did you ever think you'd run 3 miles?

on race day, you will be so excited/nervous and have major adrenaline. you will be faster that day and you will have fun. good luck!

Frankenbarbie01

Do not get discouraged!!!
YOU JUST RAN 5K!!!!! Good Work!! I've been running for a couple of years and I still take 40 min to run 5k.
Do not discount what you have accomplished!!

mharbaug

Don't think of it as a negative. Just think of how you would have done it you not lost the weight? Finishing a race is more important than obsessing over times. Enjoy your time out there. You can do it, and you can improve your time with more work. You obviously know how to put the work in so I'm sure you will get faster.

Congrats on your weight loss so far!!!

MovesLikePuma

Blah!!! Over 500 ppl did this race last year and the slowest time was 56 minutes. That's going to be me. All this talk about doing this 5K and I get to tell people I came in last when it's over.

And how fast did you go it last year?? No matter how slow you are going, you are still lapping those still on the couch.

countrymom1

Don't you worry about your time - just finish!! When I was a kid (about 9 years old) I ran a 10k with my dad and came in dead last, but I was the only kid in my age division that finished!

Then, seven years ago, I ran that same race with my dad (I was 34) and guess what? Dead last, again! - but you know what? I finished! I wasn't on the sidelines watching, I was in the game.

.... and I am doing that same race (Lord willing) with my dad again this year. It is about two and a half months away and I have been doing the C210K program. I remember when I did the race 7 years ago, I walked some of it. My goal this year is to run non-stop.

Maybe I'll be shuffling or trotting or trudging into last place, but I"m going to FINISH!

So hang in there, girl, you're doing great!

summertime_girl

It gets better! Running is HARD. I am training for a half marathon and everyday is different!

Just started a support thread on here about half marathon training, if you're interested.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/332590-half-marathon-training-support-group

ronda_gettinghealthy

you are WOGGING.....a bit faster than a walk but slower than a jog....that is my speed LOL but you know what...you finished the 5k....me too....and that is ALL that matters!!!


congrats on starting...

julesisrunnin

Not the slowest ever--- i have done slower. But, you are RUNNING! Did you ever thing you would be training for a 5k? I never thought I could do it, and I did, and it took me 42 minutes. I walked a few times too, I found a lot of other people did that too. So, you are doing great! Let us know how it goes Keep up the good work and know there will be "good" runs and "not-so-good" runs and its okay.
Good Luck!!

lawtechie

Maybe this will make you feel better. You ran for 30 and walked for 25. Assuming you walked at 3mph, you walked for 1.2 miles and ran for 1.9. 1.9 miles in 30 minutes is nearly a 15 min/mile, which is GREAT for just starting out. You are faster than a normal walker and it will take time to build it up. As you keep it up, I'd say focus on walking fast when you are walking. Running is inherently harder than walking because you're pushing yourself more.

You'll get there!

TheDudette

I was like that in the beginning, maybe even worse, I have the shortest little legs. I've been at it a year now and I still only run an 11 minute mile on my first mile (they gradually get slower after that). It's not about the speed though, my endurance is now fantastic and I love the run. Improving my time is only a bonus. Keep at it.

IamRoJ

I started running a year ago and I'm still not very fast at all.. No worries. We're doing it. The only people we need to compete with is ourselves if we choose. Keep going. It does get better. Promise.

laughingdani

Don't be so hard on yourself. You're not in last place. The people in last place are the ones still sitting on the couch.

I started running about a year and a half ago. My first race was a 2 miler. It took me 49 min.....for 2 miles!

I've done about ten 5k's in the past year and a half and my fastest time is 32 min. I'm extremely proud of that. My goal is to get under 30 min eventually. I know I can and WILL do it!

You can do it! Never give up. I believe in you!

feydruss

I came in dead last at my first 5K, and after the first lap I was given a prize as the "fastest walker"! I whined "I'm a runner!" But at the end everyone was cheering me on, and the bottom line is that I did it. Taking an hour to run a 5K is still faster than the people on the couch, right?

irishgal44

My little girl and I ran an 5k last May and we did finish last...didn't even realize it until I looked at the times a week later but it didn't matter....we ran it, we finished and we were just thankful that we were given the oportuniity to run it. Think: I am running this for those who can't. That will give you pride and a big sense of acomplishment.

MissAmyB80

Wow...I am so glad I posted this. I am seriously choked up right now. The MFP Community is amazing........

THANK YOU ALL SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel so much better after I read each and every post!

soccermum75

But i thought i was the slowest ever. No, seriously, when i started c25k i could barely lift my feet. I think walkers were faster than me. Anyways, speed will come with time. It does not matter how fast you are as long as you are out there doing your best. I fell in love with running even though i am not very quick. My excuse is that i tell myself i am a distance runner. Started running in April and by June i could cover 21.1 km. Not fast but I did it. Just hang in there. Don't get discouraged.

Flyntiggr

Wow...I am so glad I posted this. I am seriously choked up right now. The MFP Community is amazing........

THANK YOU ALL SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel so much better after I read each and every post!

I used to worry a ton about how I was doing compared to others. It has taken a LONG time, but I'm sort of over it. This is about you doing better for YOU! A few months ago, you couldn't finish in an hour, you've beat that. Next run, you'll do a little better, and better, and better. I was running 19 minute miles in march. Finally, something clicked and I'm now down to 10-13 minute miles depending on the distance. Will I ever run a sub-10? who knows, but I keep trying!

firemama

So...been training for a 5K for about 10 weeks now....tonight we actually ran the whole 5K route for the first time. I ran for 15 min for 2 different increments. Which was the longest stretch I have ever run and I was totally pumped.

Then the time keeps ticking and ticking......and my goal of doing it in 40 min.....nope. OK...45 min?....NOPE.

IT TOOK ME 55 MINUTES.

I am extremely disappointed. That's not even a fast walking pace.

Can I even say I am running?? Or should I reclassify as shuffling.....trotting.....trudging......

Blah!!! Over 500 ppl did this race last year and the slowest time was 56 minutes. That's going to be me. All this talk about doing this 5K and I get to tell people I came in last when it's over.

A 5k is a 5k! You did it. You completed a 5k, now you know your time for a complete 5k and slowly improve it. I did a 5k two years ago and finished in 31:00 min, the week prior to the race it took me 45:xx min. Everyday you get faster and stronger. You can do it. Don't quit. The high you get on race day will help you go faster. Good luck and keep on running.

Packerfan23

I am in training for my first 5K at the end of September and have been using the C25K program and still have not yet gone a whole 5-so you are way ahead of me! Be proud that you made it through! Now that I am getting into longer run times, my pace has been around 14-16 minute miles. It will be interesting on Saturday to see how far I can go when I do my first 25 minute run (with a 5 minute warm up and 5 minute cool down). I have been averaging anywhere from 2.25 to 2.36 miles in the last week...so Saturday will be interesting. I also believe I am the slowest runner ever...and I will probably come in last in my first 5K...but as others have said, finishing is the main thing...no matter what the time! And we are still faster than those who have never gotton off the couch! Good luck as you continue to run!

tinamike91

Dont worry about your time!! 2 years ago I ran my first 5K and my only goal was to finish and not get sick! I never did alot of running and I was in a group and we did workout and practice. However I came in 2nd to last with a time of 1 hr 17 min!!!.....so You have nothing to worry about. I am much slower but at least I finished!!! I was so excited. I did it!! And you can too! When people pass you dont worry you have no idea how long they have been doing this. I have realized I'm not a runner and I havent done another 5K since but your time of 55 min I would take anyday!!